Keonjhar: In the absence of basic healthcare facilities in remote and tribal-dominated pockets of this district, people either take to superstitious practices or turn up to quacks for treatment of their ailing kin.
Branding to ‘treat’ sick kids has been a common practice in most parts, despite the hazards associated with it. The death of a three-month-old child due to branding in Telkoi block recently is a pointer to the existing abominable practice in the absence of awareness.
Social scientists, activists and experts mainly blame the practice on the lack of basic healthcare services, though superstition is endemic to several tribal communities. For all kinds of ailments, people depend on herbal treatment or other traditional healing systems or seek help of quacks only to risk their lives.
Many such incidents are recurring in several areas though the government is spending crores of rupees towards improving healthcare in rural pockets mainly for expectant mothers and children.
ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, ANMs, VLWs and people’s representatives are expected to play a key role in sensitising people about the harmful effects of su/perstitious practices.
“Superstitious practices like branding can be prevented in tribal areas if people are made aware of its horrible consequences and healthcare is made available at their doorstep,” noted Baroda Prasanna Das, convenor of Keonjhar Yuba Parishad, a local outfit.
Pointing out that most tribal pockets are deprived of healthcare facilities, lawyer Ashok Das said people fail to realise what they have been doing with the lives of their kids while subjecting them to branding.
“Health officials and social activists are expected to discharge their duties in sensitising people in this regard,” Das added.
“Cases of branding that claim lives of children have shocked the conscience of conscious citizens. These cases are pointer to the failure of government schemes for women and child welfare. Besides, those seeking such practices should be punished so as to discourage others from doing so,” said Kirtan Jena, a local resident.
Asked about the recent child’s death, Dr Mahendra Tanti, in-charge of Telkoi community health centre, said, “The baby was affected by pneumonia, but was branded at several places. The infectious wounds led to the child’s death despite best efforts by doctors.” PNN
